Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes announces she is pregnant
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Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes has just announced that she is expecting her first child in the summer.
Ms Forbes and her husband Ali Maclennan said they were delighted to share the happy news.
The couple wed last summer in Dingwall and have three teenage daughters Rachael, Rebekah and Zara from Mr Maclennan's previous marriage.
The announcement means that Ms Forbes will likely become the first-ever serving Cabinet Secretary to go on maternity leave.
The MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch will take a break from Holyrood.
But she has reassured constituents that her office and team will continue supporting local residents throughout that period as normal.
Mrs Forbes said: “My husband Ali and I are absolutely delighted to announce that we are expecting a baby later this year.
“All being well, we’re looking forward to welcoming a new member of the family in the summer.
“We have been incredibly grateful for the kind messages of support from family, friends, constituents and colleagues.
“In the meantime, I have a very busy few months ahead including the final stage of the Budget this week and supporting people through the cost of living crisis.
“I will be taking maternity leave when the baby arrives – but I want to reassure constituents that my office will remain open, and my constituency team will continue to provide help and support, as usual to the residents of Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch.”
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy added: “I have an even deeper admiration for the thousands of women across the country who balance both work and personal responsibilities.
"There might be particular challenges with being a politician in the public eye, whilst combating the side effects of pregnancy, but it is an experience which is familiar to countless women.
“Politics, like many workplaces, is not renowned for being a supportive environment for parents.
"Hopefully I can play a small part in changing that, and demonstrating that it is possible to have children and a career, with the right support in place.”
Constituents can continue to contact Ms Forbes' constituency office team by the usual arrangements either by emailing kate.forbes.msp@parliament.scot or phoning 01349 863 888.
